Deadline Extended For MCM Arts Contest

Image: Mississippi Children’s Museum

The Mississippi Children’s Museum (MCM) is giving you more time to join in celebrating the state’s 200th birthday with its call for submissions from K-12 students in the areas of visual arts, music and poetry.

This contest, aimed at providing an opportunity for children to reflect on, and celebrate the past, present and future of Mississippi through the arts, closes Friday.

Submissions and paperwork should be in beforenoon,October 20, 2017, in order to be considered as a nominee for the adjudication. Winners, judged by a panel of community experts, will be announced at the MS Children’s Museum on November 11, 2017.

MCM Director of Education and Programs Jana Perry, who developed the event and facilitated partnerships with Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), the Office of Governor Phil Bryant and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, notes, “Mississippi is known for its artists, and it is only fitting that the Mississippi Children’s Museum and our partners work together to spark the creative ideas of up and coming artists in our K-12 schools. The arts help children cultivate their voice at a young age, and children of all ages should be given the opportunity to share their voice. This competition will give us a glimpse into how our children view the past, present, and future of Mississippi.”

Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education, said the MDE supports opportunities for students to participate in the arts as part of a well-rounded education. Wright said of the competition, “Mississippi is fortunate to have such a rich history in the arts and our schools are filled with talented students who deserve this chance to showcase their immense talents. I encourage students to submit their work for consideration and well-deserved recognition.”

Winners in each category will receive state-wide recognition and a variety of prizes from each partner organization. This includes dinner at the Governor’s Mansion and a tour of the soon-to-be-open Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi History.